Ukraine War Update NEWS: Pt 1 - Overnight & Other News: Chinese Chips, Helo Destruction!
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This summary has been produced automatically by an AI Large Language Model (LLM) without any human intervention. Whilst every effort has been made to prompt the LLM to produce accurate output, there may be inconsistencies, inaccuracies or hallucinations!
Table of Contents 📖
The great victory, which appears so simple today, was the result of a series of small victories that went unnoticed.
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Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:05⏩
- Jonathan welcomes viewers to the first part of his Ukraine War News Update for 24th March 2025.
🪦 DISCLAIMER FOR GENERAL STAFF LOSSES DATA
- These are real people with real lives and real families who love them. Don’t let the numbers sap your humanity.
- These numbers probably aren’t accurate but they’re the best we have and we don’t need them to be accurate to be indicative of patterns of activity.
- All losses are estimates. Losses cannot be counted with accuracy because of the conditions on the ground.
- Both sides would see it to be of their advantage to minimize their own losses maximize the other side’s losses.
- Neither side releases their losses but we have enough transparency from the Ukrainian side to have confidence in they are indicative.
- Personnel losses are hard to count. If a soldier gets injured, heals up, and returns to the front line only to get injured again, is that one loss or two? Also, how to deal with losses from PMC’s or soldiers fighting with RF from occupied territories?
- Equipment losses are hard to count. If an AA complex involves several parts and one part gets disabled, is that a loss, or a fraction of a loss? If a tank gets disabled, repaired, back into the fight, then disabled again, is that one lost tank or two?
- All recorded losses are vulnerable to multiple reporting. We have already seen numerous cases of multiple drones in the air reporting the same loss from different angles as multiple engagements.
- Losses are not always reported on the same day they occurred. It is frequent that drone losses are reported at least 24 hours after other terrestrial equipment losses. Certain losses may not be reported for days or weeks for military intelligence reasons.
Russian Losses (23rd March 2025)
🎦 00:05-01:59⏩
- Jonathan presents the Ukrainian General Staff's figures for Russian losses on 23rd March 2025, noting high numbers in several categories.
- Personnel: 1,280 losses (high, but a downtick from the previous day).
- Tanks: 8 losses (below average, but still significant).
- Troop-carrying AFVs: 16 losses.
- Artillery Systems: A massive 81, described as a "huge haul" even if accounting for potential inaccuracies. The seven-day rolling average is at a record high.
- Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 5 losses, significantly above the daily average of 1.19. The single-day record is 10.
- Anti-aircraft Warfare Systems: 1 loss.
- Helicopters: 4 losses, with video evidence emerging to confirm this significant event.
- Vehicles and Fuel Tanks: 116 losses.
- Special Equipment: 1 loss.
Destruction of Four Russian Helicopters in Belgorod
🎦 01:59-05:14⏩
- Ukrainian sources report the destruction of four Russian helicopters (two Mi-8s and two Ka-52s) in Belgorod, likely by HIMARS with M30A2 munitions (containing 180,000 tungsten carbide ball bearings).
- Video evidence is presented, showing the helicopters being hit.
- The destruction is linked to the Ukrainian advance in Belgorod, as helicopters are a favoured tool for the Russians to stop Ukrainian advances.
- Credit: PS01
Magyar's Birds Drone Unit Update
🎦 05:14-05:33⏩
- Magyar's Birds, a Ukrainian drone unit, reports downing 33 Russian reconnaissance drones in four days in the Kursk area. They are fundraising for 100 drone interceptors.
Russian MLRS Destroyed by Drones
🎦 05:33-05:59⏩
- A Russian BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system was immobilised by one FPV drone and then destroyed by a second.
Russian War Crime in Kherson
🎦 05:59-06:41⏩
- Russians used a drone to attack civilians repairing the roof of an already damaged building in Kherson. Jonathan considers this a war crime.
Ukrainian Soldier Uses Helmet as Decoy
🎦 06:42-07:15⏩
- A Ukrainian soldier, out of grenades, threw his helmet at Russian soldiers. The Russians, thinking it was a grenade, fled, allowing the Ukrainian to eliminate them with his machine gun.
Ukrainian Advances in Belgorod Region
🎦 07:15-08:07⏩
- Russian military blogger Romanov confirms that Ukraine now controls Demidovka, a village in the Belgorod region. Russian forces withdrew, and the Ukrainians removed Dragon's Teeth anti-tank obstacles.
- There are claims from Russian sources the Russian soldiers gave up.
Bridge Destruction in Belgorod Region
🎦 08:07-09:12⏩
- Russian channels report the destruction of a bridge in the Grafovka area of Belgorod, along with a damaged gas pipeline. Another bridge over the Hrazna River in Nadezhda, near Grafovka, was also reportedly destroyed.
- These actions impact Russian logistics and their ability to supply their forces.
Ukrainian Counteroffensives: Kharkiv-Luhansk and Pokrovsk Areas
🎦 09:12-12:28⏩
- Kharkiv-Luhansk (Northern Region):
- David D suggests the entire front in this section is vulnerable on the Russian side because firepower was redirected to Kursk.
- The 3rd Assault Brigade is reportedly advancing without major issues, and the Russians are falling back.
- David D claims Ukraine has significantly more firepower in this area than Russia.
- Pokrovsk Area:
- Ukrainian counteroffensive is reported to be successful.
- Ukrainian drones are reportedly blocking Russian logistics routes. Russian resupply is limited to soldiers on foot, traveling 8-12km on a "road of death" to reach the front line.
Russian Infrastructure and Logistical Issues
🎦 12:28-13:10⏩
- Jonathan discusses the broader impact of infrastructure problems in Russia (damaged bridges, central heating failures) as causing discontent among the Russian population.
- This discontent is linked to the massive expenditure on the war, diverting funds from citizen welfare.
Reports of Missing Russian General Lapin
🎦 13:11-14:07⏩
- Unverified reports from Russian Telegram channels suggest that Russian General Lapin, commander of the North Group, may have gone missing or been killed in the Belgorod region.
- Lapin is a controversial figure, possibly responsible for atrocities around Bucha, and was later in charge of the Kursk defence.
Arson in Vladivostok
🎦 14:08-15:14⏩
- An arsonist in Vladivostok, Russia, destroyed 22 vehicles in a car park. While initially reported as military vehicles, this appears inaccurate. Jonathan uses this as further an example for the "Russia on Fire" concept.
Overnight Drone Attacks on Ukraine
🎦 15:15-16:41⏩
- 99 Russian drones were fired at Ukraine overnight. 57 were taken out by conventional means, and 36% were intercepted by electronic warfare or fell harmlessly. Only 6% got through Ukrainian air defences.
- Jonathan highlights the decline in electronic warfare (EW) interception rates.
- The Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia regions suffered damage. A pregnant woman and a man were injured in Kharkiv, and two houses were damaged in Kyiv.
Chinese Chips in Russian Drones
🎦 16:42-19:00⏩
- Ryan McBeth explains that Chinese-supplied chips are helping Russian drones avoid Ukrainian jamming in the GPS-contested environment of Ukraine.
- This indicates either that China doesn't take the U.S. seriously or that the U.S. is turning a blind eye to China supplying these chips to Russia. Both scenarios are concerning.
- Jonathan notes it's worrying that Ukraine is fighting not only Russia but also the support Russia receives from China's economy and technology.
Ukrainian Yak-52s Intercepting Drones
🎦 19:01-20:05⏩
- Ukrainian Yak-52 aircraft are used during the day to take out Russian reconnaissance drones. A Russian drone captured a photo of one of these Yaks, showing a two-seater plane with the rear passenger carrying a weapon (possibly an automatic rifle).
Overnight Ukrainian Strikes
🎦 20:05-21:42⏩
- A major fire was reported near Simferopol airport in Crimea (cause unknown).
- The Kavkazkaya oil transshipment point (both pumping and depot) is still burning, for the fifth day, and there was another explosion overnight. Satellite imagery confirms at least one tank on fire and another damaged. The fire has spread to nearby buildings.
- The fire at a gas metering station in Sudzha (Kursk region) is also still burning. This station was reportedly the last route for delivering Russian natural gas to Europe through Ukraine, with transportation terminated on 1st January 2025. Both sides blame each other.
Russian Airbase Crowdfunding for a Forklift
🎦 21:43-24:57⏩
- A Russian airbase is seeking donations after its last remaining forklift broke down while loading 1,500kg bombs onto aircraft. The airbase has resorted to transporting bombs using bicycles.
- Russian war bloggers are fundraising for a new forklift costing $17,800.
- The appeal has prompted incredulity from some Russian Telegram users, who suspect a scam or question why the Air Force needs to crowdfund.
- Kirill Fedorov argues that the Russian war effort already heavily relies on personally funded equipment.
- A Russian tank driver confirms this by saying it cost $20,000 to repair his vehicle, which he paid $238 towards, saying he would rather pay for new equipment.
- Credit: ChrisO_wiki
FIRMS Data Analysis (Paul Sweeney)
🎦 24:58-28:11⏩
- Paul Sweeney sent Jonathan FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System) data images showing fire activity in the Belgorod-Voronezh region.
- Over the past week, there's been scant evidence of strikes in Belgorod city compared to the surrounding areas. Voronezh shows significant fire activity, likely including industrial sites, forges, and gas/oil facilities (not all war-related).
- This morning, Voronezh appears "toasty," suggesting numerous fires. Smolensk Oblast also shows considerable activity.
- Paul suggests that a logistics network at Lipetsk was hit last night, supported by FIRMS data. Novorossiysk (where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is now housed) and a site west of Obninsk were also potentially hit.
- Jonathan points out that this data reveals activity not always reported on social media, indicating that Ukraine may be conducting more extensive strikes than publicly known.
- Credit: Paul Sweeney
Cyberattack on Ukrainian Rail Operator
🎦 28:12-28:38⏩
- Ukraine's national rail operator experienced a massive cyberattack, taking its booking system offline. However, the rail network itself continued to operate.
- Credit: Tim White
Russian Soldiers in Gas Pipes Update
🎦 28:38-29:43⏩
- Further confirmation that Russian troops sent through gas pipes near Sudzha (Kursk) suffered heavy losses due to Ukrainian attacks (artillery, rockets, drones).
- Russian doctors published photos of the lungs of soldiers who participated, showing symptoms of chemical pneumonitis.
Disinformation on Twitter
🎦 29:43-30:28⏩
- Jonathan highlights a paid-for advert on Twitter disguised as a post from a Ukrainian parliament member, claiming he was beaten and tortured on Zelensky's orders. This exemplifies the difficulty in identifying disinformation.
US-Russia-Ukraine Negotiations
🎦 30:29-36:30⏩
- Steve Witkoff Interview: The interview with Tucker Carlson, where Witkoff (a billionaire involved in US-Russia negotiations) reiterated Kremlin talking points, is making headlines in Russia. One Russian paper claims the US and Russia are now speaking the same language.
- Witkoff's paternal grandparents were born in the Russian Empire, and he has previously expressed opposition to sanctions against Russia.
- Meetings in Riyadh: US and Ukrainian negotiators met in Saudi Arabia, followed by a planned meeting between the US and Russian teams (but not Ukrainians and Russians together). Talks focus on halting long-range strikes on energy sites and securing safe shipping in the Black Sea.
- Grain Deal: The Kremlin wants to revive the grain deal, but Ukraine has found a way around it and no longer relies on it. Jonathan finds this bizarre, suggesting the US might be pushing something beneficial to Russia but detrimental to Ukraine.
- Mike Walls (National Security Advisor): Claims they are "closer to peace than we ever have been" and that a ceasefire on aerial infrastructure hits is already working.
- Russian Perspective (Petr Kozlov): Moscow officials believe Washington will pressure Kyiv to concede even more territory than Russia has seized by force.
- Shashank Joshi (The Economist): Any competent Russian negotiator should be asking for maximalist goals, given the apparent US willingness to concede.
- Trump's Position: Sources indicate Trump is willing to wait for the right deal but is growing angry at continued missile and drone attacks despite promises of a mini-truce.
- Telegraph Article: "Kremlin dials down Trump hopes for Ukraine ceasefire by Easter." While there were claims of being close to a deal, expectations are being lowered. Trump is reportedly irritated by the inability to quickly end the war.
- Investigation of child deportations halted: When pressed, Mike Walsh could not explain why the US has stopped funding an investigation into children deported to Russia.
Wrap up
🎦 36:30-39:26⏩
- Jonathan mentions he will be releasing a large US politics video.
- He highlights that Rick the Ukrainian's Romance Rockimax and ATPG of Politics fundraiser is close to being done. Someone donated $20,000 overnight.
- They are 90% of the way there and he will focus on this fundraiser before working on the Cars for Ukraine campaign.
- He shows the donor wall and reads out a user message of support.
🤖❓ AI Debrief (post task) - anything the AI didn't understand
07:57: Is "Grafovka" the correct spelling? It is also spelled as "Hrazna" later on.
13:41 - Was General Lapin in charge in Bucha, as Jonathan suggests. The transcript states, "Was he responsible around Bucha, I think, for some of the atrocities there?" but this isn't 100% clear
17:19: "So these China-supplied chips help Russia avoid Ukraine jamming" - is this meant to be a quote/title of the video? It's not clear.
20:40: What is "Cranstead, our cry"?
23:30: What does "To swallow such chutzpah, you have to have 47 chromosomes" mean?
24:40: What does "the dynamite arises by pipes" mean?
28:42: What are "the troops that were put into the gas pipes"? This is a bit confusing.
34:49: Who are the "rubes sitting across the table."
34:57 "mini-truths" - Is this a typo for mini-truce?
36:09 - What project is he talking about?
🤖💭 AI Plan (pre task) - the AI's step by step thought process
Here's my plan to summarise this transcript, step by step:
1. Analyse the Transcript:
I'll start by scanning the entire transcript to get a sense of the overall structure and topics discussed.
I'll pay attention to Jonathan's intro and outro, as these always need specific topic titles ("Hello Team" and "Wrap up").
I'll identify shifts in topic, looking for keywords, place names, and changes in subject matter.
2. Task 1 - Title, Date, and Part:
Extract the title from the YouTube video title, removing the date and part in parentheses.
Convert the date from YYYYMMDD to DD/MM/YYYY format.
Extract the part (the letter after the date).
Output using the correct XML tags.
3. Task 2 - Topic Titles:
Based on my initial scan, I will create concise and specific topic titles.
I'll make sure to quantify information where possible (e.g., "Destruction of four Russian helicopters in Belgorod").
I will number each topic sequentially, starting with "Hello Team" (id=1) and ending with "Wrap up".
The topic titles should be granular without combining unrelated subjects,
4. Task 3 - Topic Timestamps:
For each topic, I'll find the start and end timestamps in the transcript.
I'll use the format MM:SS or HH:MM:SS, as appropriate.
If a topic appears in multiple, non-consecutive sections, I'll separate the timestamps with commas.
The topic timeframes should cover the entirety of the video
5. Task 4 - Topic Summaries:
For each topic, I'll write a concise summary, capturing the key points and any insights from Jonathan.
I will use bullet points and sparingly use bold/italic/underline for emphasis.
I will correct any spelling errors, especially Ukrainian place names (e.g., Kyiv, Odesa).
I will use British English.
I'll include any relevant source credits.
6. Task 5 - Quote:
I'll choose a significant or humorous quote from Jonathan that makes sense on its own.
I will check it and ensure there are no errors
7. Task 6 - Queries:
I will list any parts of the transcript or tasks I didn't understand.
This is important, because there are often a lot of errors in the transcript
8. XML Output:
Finally, I'll output the information in the specified XML format. Making sure there is only one set of 🤖💭 AI Plan (pre task) - the AI's step by step thought process